Celebrating International Nurses’ Day!
We talk to two of our nurses about their roles and what this day means to them.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
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Monday 12th May was International Nurses’ Day - themed 'Our nurses. Our future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies' - celebrating the enormous contribution our nurses make each and every day.
Nurses are the heart and soul of our health system – responding to the health needs of patients and supporting whānau. This day is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank them for the vital work they do.
Smiler Davies, Registered Nurse at Kenepuru Hospital
As part of the celebrations, we profile Smiler Davies, a registered nurse working at Kenepuru Hospital.
She was born here, but her family are from the Cook Islands. Her name was actually meant to be Maera but thanks to people mispronouncing it she ended up being known as Smiler! She's a mum of two, with seven grandchildren and her life revolves around her whānau.
What's your role here at Health NZ and what do you do in a typical
day?
I've had a few different roles in my time but I've been at Kenepuru Hospital (Ward 5, Health of the Older Person Services) for the last 30 years.
A typical day for me starts off with handover, reminding everyone to go into the bed spaces and introduce themselves to the patients, as well as my classic Smiler reminder of making sure patients have the right continence products and to get out of bed.
I also whip around and make sure everyone's folders are in the right place to start day right. I LOVE talking to patients and finding out about their lives - it costs absolutely nothing to spend some time with patients.
How do you enjoy your role?
I've had the privilege of meeting people from many different backgrounds - from high commissioners, rugby players, veterans from different forces, home makers and more – when they're closer to that last stage of life. Some of the stories these people have shared have stayed with me my whole career and made such an impression on my life.
There's so much you can learn from kaumatua and kuia (like myself) – I love making sure new staff, new graduate nurses and students slow down and talk to their patients. I also enjoy mentoring people, learning new things myself and teaching the simple fundamental nursing skills of assessing head-to-toe before you even start talking.
What does celebrating International Nurses' Day mean to you and
your profession?
This day highlights and acknowledges the hard work nurses do every day and night. We're not acknowledged enough. I celebrated by having the day off! I went up to Levin to see my grandson, Te Au Kura and enjoyed some whānau time.
How do you feel about your 30th anniversary at Kenepuru Hospital?!
I didn't actually realise it was my 30th anniversary, so I was absolutely shocked when the girls surprised me with a cake and flowers on the day! It was so nice to be acknowledged and celebrated. I was completely gobsmacked.
What's your advice for a long career?
Slow down and enjoy what you do! Look for the positives in everything you do because as soon as you dwell on the negative, it brings you down and makes your job harder. Make good friends, ask for help and keep smiling.
Smiler Davies, registered nurse
Karen Blair, Clinical Nurse Manager of the Community Health Service at Hutt Valley
International Nurses’ Day was on Monday, recognising the vital work our nurses do in our hospitals and communities. In our second profile to celebrate the day we talk to Karen Blair, Clinical Nurse Manager of the Community Health Service at Hutt Valley.
What’s your role here at Health NZ and what do you do in a typical day?
My day starts with ensuring everyone is on deck and, if not, working with the team to make sure patient care isn’t impacted.
We have a ‘morning talk’ at 8am to highlight safety issues related to working out on the road and to pass on operational and clinical updates. The rest of the day involves supporting service delivery, working with ACNMS, specialist nursing teams and admin staff to ensure we deliver the services we need to provide.
No day is the same, but I'm always most satisfied if my work involves direct patient care in some way.
How do you enjoy your role?
I love being part of the Hutt family. Having worked in and around the Hutt for over 40 years, I can say ‘hello’ to someone I’ve nursed or worked with every time I walk down the corridor or am out and about in the community.
What does celebrating International Nurses’ Day mean to you and your profession?
The day recognises the impact nurses make on people's lives every day in all aspects of life. I also feel proud of how nurses support other nurses to grow and develop.
What did you do to celebrate the day?
Our team gave each other a shout out and celebrated the small things that make a big difference. There was also food to share of course!
Karen Blair, Clinical Nurse Manager